Ottawa Charge Secures Spot in Walter Cup Final
In a thrilling semifinal clash, the Ottawa Charge have secured their spot in the Walter Cup Final for the second consecutive year, defeating the Boston Fleet 4-3 after two overtime periods. The decisive moment came when Michela Cava netted the winning goal just 72 seconds into the second overtime, enabling the Charge to win the best-of-five series in four matches. This victory comes on the heels of their previous season’s defeat in the final against the Minnesota Frost.
Resilience and Key Contributions
Ottawa’s victory was not just a testament to their resilience; they came back strong after losing the opening match of the series, securing three straight wins. The Charge’s offense was supported by key contributions from Sarah Wozniewicz, Rebecca Leslie, and Brooke Hobson, while goaltender Gwyneth Philips was impressive in net, making 43 saves throughout the game.
Exciting Game Highlights
The game saw an exhilarating second period where both teams exchanged blows, combining to score five goals and tying the game at 3-3 going into the final period. Ottawa started off strong, quickly taking a 2-0 lead, with one of the goals coming from a sharp-angled shot by Jenner that deflected off Leslie’s skate. Despite a review, the goal was confirmed.
However, the Fleet mounted a quick response, scoring three times in just over a minute to briefly take control at 3-2. Shay Maloney, Megan Keller, and Sophie Shirley accounted for Boston’s goals, while their goaltender, Aerin Frankel, recorded 29 saves.
Looking Ahead
The Charge will now await the outcome of the Game 5 showdown between the Montreal Victoire and the Minnesota Frost to determine their opponents in the final.
